Business/Managerial Economics at The University of Texas Permian Basin

A debt load under $19,000 for a business degree is genuinely unusual—similar programs in Texas typically leave graduates with around that amount, and many schools push closer to the national median of $22,250. At this estimated debt level, UT Permian Basin appears positioned as a lower-cost option in a state where business economics programs cluster around $54,000 in first-year earnings. The 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, roughly equivalent to a third of a year's salary.

The earnings estimate of roughly $54,000 tracks with what peer programs across Texas produce, putting graduates near the state and national medians. Odessa's location in the Permian Basin—Texas's oil-rich region—likely influences these outcomes, as energy sector jobs can provide solid starting salaries for business graduates who stay local. However, that same regional dependence means career trajectories may be more volatile than in diversified markets like Austin or Dallas.

For families watching education costs, the combination of an 84% admission rate and below-average debt makes this an accessible path to a business degree. The key question is whether your student plans to build a career in West Texas or wants to leverage this degree elsewhere—local connections matter significantly in Odessa's economy, and these estimated outcomes reflect that regional reality.